WASHINGTON – Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced on July 19 that the US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $100 million to 48 organizations through the Agricultural Trade Promotion Program. The funding is aimed at helping farmers that are struggling with the United States’ trade disputes with various countries.

The US Meat Export Federation (USMEF) announced on July 20 that it will receive $27,556,680 through the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) during 2019.

“While there has been progress in recent weeks in removing retaliatory measures imposed on US red meat exports, the obstacles these products face in international markets are still significant,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom.  “USMEF greatly appreciates the Trump administration’s authorization of additional ATP funding - an investment that will help USMEF and other organizations defend our existing market share and develop new markets for US agricultural exports.”

President Donald Trump announced a $16 billion authorization of funds back in May. ATP is one of three programs that will assist agricultural producers while Trump negotiates new trade deals. The first round of ATP funding of $200 million, was allocated earlier this year.

“China and other nations haven’t played by the rules for a long time and President Trump is standing up to them, sending a clear message that the United States will no longer tolerate their unfair trade practices,” Secretary Perdue said. “At USDA, we are always looking to expand existing markets or open new ones and this infusion of money will do just that. American farmers are so productive that we need to continue to expand our markets wherever we can to sell the bounty of the American harvest.”

In July 2018, the Trump Administration also allocated $12 billion in a Market Facilitation Program.